The Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC (PPMW) Ambassador Program empowers individuals who are passionate about sexual and reproductive health and rights to advocate for these issues in the communities we serve. The program provides an unparalleled entry point into the struggle to defend bodily autonomy, and trains a corps of volunteers to help us mobilize here in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Applications for the 2024 Ambassador Program are now open. Here, PPMW Events and Volunteer Manager Gregory Samuel shares key information about the program for community members curious about applying.
Why is the Ambassador Program such a valuable opportunity for people passionate about reproductive health and rights?
The Ambassador Program is an invaluable opportunity because it allows you to have a front-row seat to the fight for reproductive rights and access to reproductive health care. It’s more than a foot in the door; it’s a chance to support the people who are doing the important advocacy work you see on the news – and the behind-the-scenes work that makes advocacy possible. Being an Ambassador offers important networking opportunities while also enabling you to be an agent of change.
What kinds of events do Ambassadors participate in?
Ambassadors have the opportunity to participate in advocacy events led by PPMW staff and held in partnership with other organizations, such as Pride events like Capital Pride, Greenbelt Pride, and DC Black Pride this summer. Ambassadors will also support other local outreach efforts, including this year’s Afro-Latinas Navigating Health Care event on May 23. In the past, Ambassadors have been present for important rallies and marches, including last year’s rally on the anniversary of the Dobbs decision and the Women’s March. They can also propose their own ideas for events that they want to help coordinate. I think that’s really the trailblazing component of the program: creating new events and venturing out to connect with new partners in the sexual and reproductive health and rights space.
What will the program’s focus be for 2024?
This year there will be a lot of politically activated, advocacy-based events in support of PPMW efforts to defend and expand access to abortion and other forms of essential health care. There will likely be big rallies in response to cases that will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. This includes cases on access to mifepristone (used for medication abortion), challenges to a law that requires access to abortion as part of emergency medical treatment, and more.
What has been the most rewarding experience for you as the program’s leader?
I really love connecting with new volunteers through the program. All different kinds of people join the Ambassadors, bringing unique perspectives and insights with them. This means there is an exciting spontaneity and newness to the program every single time.
What would you say to someone considering applying to the program?
It’s one of the best “third spaces” you can have in your life — a place of meaning apart from work and home. If you need another place to be, another place to go, that really holds the values that you want to put out into the world, I’d say to apply. It’s a great place to meet other individuals in the reproductive rights space and to ensure the future that you want to have for bodily autonomy and reproductive rights. This is one of the most prescient issues that we face today. We need supporters to raise their hands and join in the work, so if you are curious, please apply.
The application deadline is March 10th. Learn more and apply for the 2024 PPMW Ambassador Program on the Ambassador Program webpage.